HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Instead of the sound of a police siren, youngsters in Holland neighborhoods will hear the music of the ice cream truck coming from those in blue.
Tuesday the Holland Department of Public Safety unveiled West Michigan’s first-ever “police ice cream truck.” It’s called Operation Polar Patrol. Sergeant Larry Matzen, the department’s current “Officer of the Year,” is the brain’s behind it.
The truck was donated by Crowne Motors. Matzen says it’s not the truck that makes the program.
“It started out with a crazy idea and I got laughed at intially. We decided we’d try to run with it. I don’t think it’s the truck that makes the program. It ‘s the people behind it and the also message behind it. The truck will be brought to the community and maybe to kids that don’t have the opportunity to purchase ice cream when the ice cream truck comes by. Everything is donated and it will all be complimentary. The entire program was funded by private donors.”
Graphic’s Guras created the wrap design on the truck. General RV created the inside, Autobody Experts, OK Tire and Peachwave for the donations of yogurt.
Matzen says this is for the community. The truck will be going into apartment complexes and they are working on mobile home estates. They plan on hitting every square of the city.
The first event will be on June 22 at Harbor Village.
Ice cream donations and cones, cups and more are still needed. You can contact Sgt. Matzen at 616-355-1720.
According to Matzen, there are only five such trucks operated by law enforcement entities nationwide, and Holland received its ice cream vehicle as a donation.
